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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to worry about being stranded in Sweden and cancelling girls trip? (Fuel concerns)

64 replies

Isthisasillyquestion1 · 21/04/2026 14:51

I am going on a long planned for trip to Stockholm with my girlfriends at the end of next week (3 days). I'm really worried that there might be issues coming back on the plane in terms of fuel shortage and I might get stranded. My DH thinks I'm being ridiculous and that it's more to do with the fact I don't like leaving our 6 year old for a weekend (it's true that I always really miss him when I'm away and if I'm being honest, don't love being a flight away! But this is probably ridiculous in itself) AIBU to be afraid I might get stranded and to cancel the trip? My friends are flying in from other airports so I could technically make up an excuse, though I don't like doing that

OP posts:
suburberphobe · 21/04/2026 17:31

Don't deprive your husband and son having a male bonding weekend together.

StaringAtTheWater · 21/04/2026 17:12

Airlines aren't just going to start cancelling tons of flights and leaving people stranded. What they might start doing if they become short of fuel is consolidating flights. E.g. if three flights are running that where the plane is only 2/3s full, they'll cancel one flight and move those passengers to the other two flights. They aren't going to leave people stuck for days

SwedishK · 21/04/2026 17:06

You are coming to my hometown (if it is Stockholm you are travelling to). Just to note, May 1st is a public holiday here and the night before is our bonfire night. Not sure which dates you will be here for (because you really should go). There's quite a lot of friendly political (socialist) demonstrations on the 1st, but they are mainly singing and dancing through the streets. No need to worry about a riot or violence.

Beyondamountainandoverthesea · 21/04/2026 16:57

You just don't want to go and are using the fuel as an excuse it would seem.

Fooledaroundandfellinlove · 21/04/2026 16:30

Mmm, sounds like you really don’t want to go. I was very anxious about leaving my dc for the first time but I’m sure your partner will cope and your child is 6 so they’ll understand that mum needs a break. Have someone else on standby like your/their parents just in case if you feel anxious about it.

EveSix · 21/04/2026 16:29

I mean, I can think of worse places to be stranded.

mindutopia · 21/04/2026 16:28

This literally wouldn’t even cross my mind.

EvelynBeatrice · 21/04/2026 16:28

Likelihood is that it will be absolutely fine. Have a lovely time. I’ve only been in Stockholm for a day, having sailed in. It was very beautiful. I was sad not to get to the ABBA museum. The only thing I hated were the mixed sex loos in the palace. But that’s another thread ..,,!

ParmaVioletTea · 21/04/2026 16:27

You can get a train and/or a ferry home from Sweden.

Honestly, you're a grown up, this is silly. Maybe you really just don't want to go.

RegalDiamondMonster · 21/04/2026 16:26

100% fine, I work in an international department with coworkers who travel all the time- no-one is cancelling flights or upcoming travel, we have someone in Sweden at the moment!

Original poster
Isthisasillyquestion1 · 21/04/2026 16:24

Thank you all. I've booked the flights separately- out with easyJet back with sas- hope it won't be problem either way!

OP posts:
Original poster
Isthisasillyquestion1 · 21/04/2026 16:19

nam3c4ang3 · 21/04/2026 14:57

why did you plan or agree to go then?

It was planned last September so long before any of the current problems started

OP posts:
EvelynBeatrice · 21/04/2026 16:15

I don’t think there is much if any risk of you being stranded. Money is king! The airline won’t want its plane and crew, let alone passengers stranded. It has to get them back. So - as I said - they won’t fly you out if can’t get you back.

And even if the extraordinary happens and flight cancelled, it’s an easy place to get home from by train or ferry etc.

I do understand if it’s really that you grudge time away from your child. I really weighed up carefully whether I wanted to spend time away at all from my first. I think nearly losing them makes you super conscious of time and what you want to do with it. However it’s good for a kid to understand that mum is a person and that mum can go away and have fun without them and that they will be fine - and more than likely have great fun - with susbstitute carer/ dad. Mum will come home with little gift for kid presumably 😁

And remember too that travel is likely to become more expensive due to fuel shortages and green restrictions over the next few years. Don’t lose your chance.

countrygirl99 · 21/04/2026 16:08

Second the Vasa museum. And cakes. Sweden is good at cake.

cardibach · 21/04/2026 16:05

Feelingworried26 · 21/04/2026 15:51

I wouldn't take a non essential flight at the moment with a young child at home.

She’s not leaving the child to fend for itself. Another parent is there. If there were fuel shortages she’d get home pretty quickly by another means - but remember everyone was saying a couple of weeks ago that there’d be petrol rationing and reporting on here garages with no fuel. Didn’t happen.
Aviation fuel shortages may happen but as others have said if they do they’ll be planned for. You’re more likely to have the outbound flight cancelled by the airline @Isthisasillyquestion1 - they don’t want to have you in Sweden and have to find another way of getting you back!

Original poster
Isthisasillyquestion1 · 21/04/2026 16:04

😓😫

OP posts:
EvelynBeatrice · 21/04/2026 16:00

The airline is highly unlikely to fly you out on a return flight if they think they may be unable to get you back - so says pilot sister.

Also most U.K. airlines get their aviation fuel from America not through Hormuz Strait.

Feelingworried26 · 21/04/2026 15:51

I wouldn't take a non essential flight at the moment with a young child at home.

SabrinaThwaite · 21/04/2026 15:22

You’d be mad not to go - it’s an amazing city. Take the ferry out to Vaxholm for an afternoon (abour an hour each way), it’s a very scenic trip.

Whenthemorningcomes · 21/04/2026 15:16

I think it can be easy to be anxious about situations that you don’t have insight into. It might help to know (as others have pointed out above)

  • if it did reach a point where flight were cancelled it wouldn’t be sudden, they would build up to it
  • there are other transport options to get back to UK (train and tunnel and/or ferry)
SunnyRedSnail · 21/04/2026 15:11

@Isthisasillyquestion1 well worst case scenario, Google Maps says public transport will take you 23 hours to get back to the UK.

JustPlainStanfreyPock · 21/04/2026 15:06

Stockholm is gorgeous, don't miss out on seeing it with your friends because of hysterical news reports.
Loosen your girdle and enjoy the cinnamon buns.

Original poster
Isthisasillyquestion1 · 21/04/2026 15:05

Owlcat42 · 21/04/2026 15:02

There are dozens of airlines operating between the UK - if that's where you are - and Stockholm. It's very, very unlikely you'd have a problem, but even if you did you'd get back on another flight - your airline is still responsible for getting you home one way or another.

Please don't worry and enjoy your trip (ps the Abba museum and the Vasa museum are both great!)

Thank you so much....I will🙏

OP posts:
Original poster
Isthisasillyquestion1 · 21/04/2026 15:04

SunnyRedSnail · 21/04/2026 15:02

@Isthisasillyquestion1 stop reading the Daily Mail and go and have fun!

Haha.....I'm more of a Guardian reader 😂

OP posts:
ilovesooty · 21/04/2026 15:03

You're not going to be stranded there. Just go.

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